What is UrbanBuzz?
A government funded, two year programme, UrbanBuzz is led by University College London and is bringing together academics and practitioners in the built environment sector to convert research results into new practical tools and processes to help build sustainable communities.
It has funded a portfolio of 28 projects each addressing aspects of key sustainability issues, including:
Impact of the Mayor of London's transportation strategy on CO2 emissions
Spatial mapping techniques relating to anti-social behaviour and designing out crime
Energy-use reduction through retrofitting the existing housing stock
Tools and techniques to engage communities in local decision making
Thames Gateway urban agriculture demonstration incorporating a challenge to local governance
Understanding cultural demographics and how to design for the shifting populace
Quick facts on UrbanBuzz: www.urbanbuzz.org
- UrbanBuzz is a UCL-led £7.75m 2-year (ends Dec 08) knowledge exchange 'impact' programme in the field of building sustainable communities
- The funds are viewed as 'risk capital' thereby empowering UrbanBuzz to unlock potential by lowering barriers and bridging silos between academics, the private and the public sectors
- UCL's prime partner in delivering UrbanBuzz is the University of East London, ensuring that their local knowledge of the Thames Gateway regeneration and development corridor is fully embedded in the programme
*UrbanBuzz is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills; funding that was secured in the face of stiff competition from 94 other universities
